CULLOWHEE – Two renovation projects at Western Carolina University --
one to modernize the historic McKee Classroom Building and another to turn
Bird Building into a student health center -- are due to get under way
this spring following the recent opening of contractor bids.

Work on both buildings was bid as a single project. Eighteen firms submitted
multi-prime bids, and four of the same firms submitted single-prime bids,
said Chuck Wooten, Western’s vice chancellor for administration and finance.

The university accepted the lowest single-prime bid of $4,561,000, covering
the general contract, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work on the two
buildings, plus 11 alternates. That bid was submitted by Denark Construction
Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn., Wooten said.

Bids were opened Thursday, Feb. 14. Funding for the renovations will
come from money made available through the November 2000 higher education
bond approved by North Carolina voters.

The McKee Building was constructed in 1939 and named in honor of Gertrude
Dills McKee, first woman to be elected to the state senate and a two-term
member of Western’s board of trustees. After general renovations to configure
classrooms for collegiate instruction, install adequate wiring, improve
access and eliminate water intrusion on the ground floor, the building
will provide instructional space for the departments of history and modern
foreign languages, and for academic advisement and student support services.

Bird Building, which once served as WCU’s administration building, was
built in 1960 and named after W. Ernest Bird, acting president of the university
from 1947 to 1949 and president from 1956 to 1957. The structure will be
renovated to house the Student Health Center. Plans call for the building
to be rewired with current electrical and information technology systems,
air conditioning to be installed, spaces reconfigured, and the second floor
renovated to improve access.

Work on both buildings is expected to begin in April, and be completed
by April 2003. The designer for both projects is Woolpert LLP of Charlotte.

Five multi-prime bids, including four alternates, were received for
the general contract. They included Denark Construction Inc., $2,444,000;
Crossley Construction Corp., $2,478,500; Eagle Wood Inc., $2,852,718; Hickory
Construction Co. of Hickory, $3,013,900; and Hudak and Dawson Construction
Co. Inc., $3,483,000. One bidder on the general contract was disqualified.

Two multi-prime bids, including three alternates, were received for
plumbing work. They were Industrial Maintenance and Overflow Corp. of Fletcher,
$204,297; and Bolton Corp. of Asheville, $226,150. One bidder for plumbing
work was disqualified.

Five multi-prime bids, including one alternate, were received for mechanical
(heating, ventilation and air conditioning) work. They were Martin Heating
and Air Conditioning Inc. of Hendersonville, $1,130,183; Bolton Corp.,
$1,179,800; Industrial Maintenance and Overflow Corp., $1,183,000; Charlotte
Temperature Controls Inc. of Charlotte, $1,287,100; and Triangle Contractors
Inc. of Morganton, $1,329,000.

Three multi-prime bids, including three alternates, were received for
electrical work. They were Haynes Electric Construction Co. of Asheville,
$717,427; Emory Electric Inc. of Asheville, $801,231; and Hayes and Lunsford
Electrical Contractors Inc. of Asheville, $790,200. One bid for electrical
work was withdrawn.

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Last modified: Wednesday, March 6, 2002
Copyright 2002 by Western Carolina University